Brad Hirschfield — Video

American Pilgrimage

Building Bridges II

Building Bridges I

Time for a New God

Freaks Like Me

As more details emerge as to the causes of the plane crash on Tuesday, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield considers how those who lost loved ones may find meaning in the tragedy. Within all the questions they may be asking themselves, one may be 'Where Was God'?

Rabbi Irwin Kula serves as scholar in Residence at Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation in Mercer Island, WA on March 27 and 28th. The congregation’s theme for the weekend is “Re-Imagining American Jewish Life,” and topics include “What is Shabbat’s Job?” and “Beyond the Tribe: Judaism as a Path of Human Flourishing.”

Brad Hirschfield discusses the issues of the day. First, U.S. Army Sgt. Bergdahl charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. Are the charges appropriate? Was his return politically motivated? Second, will Kerry be able to close an agreement with Iran? Third, is Mayor de Blasio overreacting and turning NYC preschool into a "Nanny State?"? And many more issues of the day. Hosted by Joe Concha along with panelists Rick Unger and Heather Hansen.

"...Soon we’ll sit around our tables turning toward one another as we re-tell our sacred story by way of questions and answers exchanged between the generations of our families and community. The mitzvah of the Seder is to teach and learn from all who are present at our tables, all the archetypes and all the paths of Torah we represent. We contribute our divergent perspectives so that we can collectively envision the biblical redemption as relevant to us, here and now..."

"...service to others marks our celebration of freedom from almost the moment the seder begins, where we fill the cups of others and rely on them to do so for us. Customs, traditions, etiquette — they all send messages. The custom that at the seder each person’s cup is filled for them by another guest sends a powerful message indeed: Serving others, not self-service, is actually the highest expression of freedom..."

"My teacher, Rabbi Irwin Kula, president of CLAL, asked a group of Rabbis Without Borders fellows recently: Do people see us as necessary – conduits, guides, connectors for them in their Jewish life? Do people come to rabbis and ask deep questions they are struggling with? Do they seek us in times of need and celebration?

Irwin Kula will be appearing as a panelist in the “Women and Social Innovation: Disrupting Global Entrepreneurship” discussion at the Power of Collaboration Global Summit at the United Nations on Wednesday, March 25, 2015.